President John Dramani Mahama has established a seven-member committee to plan a National Economic Dialogue (NED), a key initiative outlined in his 120-day social contract with Ghanaians.
The committee, chaired by renowned economist Dr. Ishmael Yamson, is tasked with organizing the dialogue aimed at addressing Ghana’s pressing economic challenges and fostering consensus on critical reforms.
Other members of the planning committee include Dr. K.Y. Amoako, Professor John Gatsi, Mohammed Samara, Nelly Mireku, Anthony Sarpong, and Ernest De-Graft Egyir.
The NED will serve as a platform for inclusive dialogue, consultation, and deliberation on the state of the Ghanaian economy and its developmental challenges.
The committee is expected to bring together experts and stakeholders to discuss policy trade-offs and propose measures to transform Ghana into a high-growth, inclusive, and resilient economy.
According to a statement released by the Acting Spokesperson to the President, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the government envisions the NED achieving three main objectives:
- Communicating the true state of Ghana’s economy to stakeholders and citizens.
- Developing a homegrown fiscal consolidation programme to guide national budgeting.
- Highlighting key structural reforms and policy priorities essential for resetting the economy.
The planning committee has four weeks to submit a comprehensive report outlining the framework for the dialogue. Their mandate includes:
- Agenda Setting: Developing an agenda aligned with the objectives of the NED.
- Speaker and Panellist Coordination: Inviting experts in fields such as economics, energy, and agriculture to participate in the dialogue.
- Logistics Management: Overseeing venue selection, transportation, and other logistical arrangements.
- Session Facilitation: Organizing and moderating panel discussions, workshops, and breakout sessions.
- Documentation and Reporting: Preparing detailed records of the proceedings and compiling policy recommendations.
- Communications Plan: Designing and implementing strategies to promote and disseminate information about the dialogue.
The National Economic Dialogue is expected to build consensus on the policy trade-offs needed to address Ghana’s economic challenges, including fiscal consolidation and structural reforms. It also aims to enhance transparency by offering a platform for government accountability and stakeholder engagement.
This initiative is part of President Mahama’s broader agenda to engage the public and experts in resetting Ghana’s economic trajectory. The outcome of the NED will shape the government’s economic priorities and reform strategies in the coming years.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
